Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 206L-4 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50304-50306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-24622]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-37-AD; Amendment 39-12449; AD 2001-20-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
206L-4 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 206L-4 helicopters that 
requires installing a high altitude tail rotor static stop yield 
indicator (indicator) to allow operators to detect excessive bending 
loads sustained by the tail rotor yoke. A preflight check of the 
indicator is also required. This amendment is prompted by a 
determination that a tail rotor yoke with a high altitude rotor system 
is susceptible to a static and dynamic overload. Static overload could 
occur after the tail rotor yoke sustains an excessive bending load due 
to a strike from a ground vehicle. Dynamic overload could occur as a 
result of a hard landing. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent failure of the tail rotor yoke in flight and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective November 7, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 7, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, 
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax 
(450) 433-0272. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas; or

[[Page 50305]]

at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for BHTC Model 206L-4 helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on June 25, 2001 (66 FR 33649). That action proposed 
to require installing an indicator, P/N 206-011-752-101, within 100 
hours time-in-service. Requiring a preflight visual check for damage to 
the indicator was also proposed.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 16 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 0.5 work hour per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$1,753. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $28,528.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2001-20-03  Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-12449. 
Docket No. 2000-SW-37-AD.

    Applicability: Model 206L-4 helicopters, with High Altitude Tail 
Rotor Kit, part number (P/N) 206-704-722-101 (BHT-206-SI-2054), 
installed, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the tail rotor yoke in flight and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 100 hours time-in-service, install a high altitude 
tail rotor static stop yield indicator (indicator), P/N 206-011-752-
101, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, 
Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-96-104, 
Revision B, dated July 24, 1998.
    (b) Before each engine start, check the indicator for damage in 
accordance with Figure 1 of this AD. If damage is found, before 
further flight, replace the damaged indicator with an airworthy 
indicator, and replace the tail rotor yoke, P/N 406-012-102-107, 
with an airworthy tail rotor yoke.
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    (c) An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot 
certificate may perform the visual check required by paragraph (b) 
of this AD and must record compliance in the helicopter maintenance 
records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v)).
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests 
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or 
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification 
Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) The modification shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, Bell Helicopter Textron Alert 
Service Bulletin No. 206L-96-104, Revision B, dated July 24, 1998. 
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 
12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-
2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 433-0272. Copies may be inspected 
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on November 7, 2001.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD CF-98-11, dated June 16, 1998.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 24, 2001.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-24622 Filed 10-2-01; 8:45 am]
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